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Stress in Broilers Resulting from Shackling

University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno 612 42, Czech Republic

¹ Corresponding author: bedanovai{at}vfu.cz

The aim of this study was to assess stress response of broilers to different periods of shackling. Stress effects of shackling were monitored in a group of male Ross 308 broilers (total number: 400) aged 42 d. Three shackling treatments were used in our experiment: shackling of broilers for 30 s (group T₃₀), 60 s (group T₆₀), and 120 s (group T₁₂₀). Corticosterone plasma concentration was elevated in T₆₀ broilers (P < 0.05) and in T₁₂₀ birds (P < 0.01); glucose plasma concentration was increased (P < 0.05) in both T₆₀ and T₁₂₀ broilers when compared with nonshackled control. Lactate concentrations increased in T₃₀ birds (P < 0.05) and in both T₆₀ and T₁₂₀ birds (P < 0.01). Furthermore, T₁₂₀ broilers exhibited an increase (P < 0.01) in heterophil counts and heterophil:lymphocyte ratio. Duration of tonic immobility was increased (P < 0.05) in T₆₀ and T₁₂₀ broilers. Number of attempts to induce tonic immobility decreased (P < 0.01) in all test groups (T₃₀, T₆₀, T₁₂₀). Duration of shackling period was positively correlated (P < 0.001) with corticosterone, glucose and lactate level, tonic immobility duration, and heterophil:lymphocyte ratio. The number of inductions was negatively correlated (P < 0.001) with duration of the shackling period. According to the results of our study, the act of shackling is a considerable traumatic procedure for broilers, and its stress effect is markedly dependent on duration of shackling period that the broiler chickens experience. It follows from our study that the optimal shackling period should be less than 60 s.

Key Words: broiler • shackling • stress • welfare

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